Conroe man, biker club leader, arrested on federal charges

Staff Report

Published 3:01 pm, Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Federal police arrested a Conroe man who leads a national motorcycle club on racketeering and drug distribution charges Wednesday.

Bandidos Motorcycle Club National President Jeffrey Fay Pike, 60, was among two others facing similar charges, National Vice President John Xavier Portillo, 56, and National Sergeant at Arms Justin Cole Forster, 31.

The three are accused of directing, sanctioning, approving and permitting other members of the organization to carry out racketeering acts including murder, attempted murder, assault, intimidation, extortion and drug trafficking to protect and enhance the organization’s power, territory, reputation and profits.

According to the indictment, beginning in 2013, the Bandidos OMO declared it was “at war” with the Cossacks Motorcycle Club. The indictment specifically alleges a number of violent acts committed by Bandidos members in furtherance of this “war.”

The indictment also alleges that in 2014, Portillo received methamphetamine from Colorado-area Bandidos members and that Forster was selling ounce quantities of methamphetamine.

A federal grand jury indictment, unsealed Wednesday, charges the defendants with one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute and one count of conspiracy to commit violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR).

Pike is also charged with one count of interference with Commerce by extortion.

Portillo is also charged with two substantive VICAR counts, plus one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and interference with Commerce by extortion. Forster is also charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of interference with Commerce by extortion.

According to the indictment, beginning in 2013, the Bandidos OMO declared it was “at war” with the Cossacks Motorcycle Club. The indictment specifically alleges a number of violent acts committed by Bandidos members in furtherance of this “war.”

The indictment also alleges that in 2014, Portillo received methamphetamine from Colorado-area Bandidos members and that Forster was selling ounce quantities of methamphetamine.

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Pike, Portillo and Forster remain in federal custody. Upon conviction, the defendants face up to life in federal prison.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI, DEA and Texas DPS together with the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, New Braunfels Police Department, Seguin Police Department, San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff’s Department and the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.